Fire-ladder



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FIRE LADDER.

No. 510,111. Patented De0;'5,-1893.

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Ff'A. BIEHN.

FIRE LADDER.

No. 510;111. Patented Dec. '5, 1893.

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P. A. BIEHN. FIRE LADDER.

No. 510,111. Patented Dec. 5, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE.

FRANK A. BIEHN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIRE-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent-No. 510,111, dated December 5, 1893.

Applicationfiled July 25,1893.

To aZZ whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that I, FRANK A. BIEHN, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook. and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in extension ladders mounted upon wheeled trucks for the use of fire departments.

My object is to provide certain improvements in the construction of the device whereby the operation of raising and extending the ladder may be accomplished quickly and with comparative ease and further to provide other improvements all tending to render the device particularly desirable for its purpose.

Some of the features of the present construction are in the nature of improvements upon certain parts of a fire-ladder described and claimed in an application for'Letters Pat ent filed by me January 16, 1893, and bearing Serial No. 458,501.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved ladder and truck, the running gear being shown in section; Fig. 2, an enlarged broken view partly sectional of the forward part of the truck, showing the ladder raised; Fig. 3, a broken plan, and partly sectional, view of the forward end-portion of the truck; Fig. 4, a broken section taken on line 4. of Fig. 3, and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 5, an enlarged section taken on line 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, an enlarged broken longitudinal section of the extension ladder, the section being taken at one side'of the central line and viewed in the direction of the center; Fig. 7, a broken view in elevation of one of the ladder raising screws; and Fig. 8, a broken elevation of the under side of the upper end portion of the ladder, which is shown partly extended.

A is the frame of the truck comprising side beams A" A held together by forward crossbeams t t, and rear cross-bars s s s which latter are bolted to corresponding brackets s on the under edges of the side-beams. The cross bars 5 carry the upper member of a turn-table 8 the lower'member of which is in rigid relation with the spring-supported bolsterframe and is formed with a segmental rack 5 held securely in place.

On the rear cross-bar sis a bracket .9 af- Serial No.481,434. on model fording a journal bearing for a pinion' s which meshes with the rack 8 The upper end of the pinion-journal s, is provided with a squared socket to receive the squared end of a removable steering rod 5 carrying the steering-wheel s Secured against the under side of the cross beams 25 is the upper member of a running-gear turn-table t the lower member of which is upon the spring-supported bolster-frame of the forward truckwheels.

B is the ladder turn-table having a lower annular member B securely anchored to the side beams of the truck, and an upper annular plate or member B arranged to turn freely thereon. On the plate B near its forward side are bearings 1' r for a shaft q, and near its rear side are bearings r r for a shaft p. Mounted upon the plate B between the bearings r and r are a pair of raised, diametrically opposed and inwardly extending bearing-pins 0 o. Toward the forward end of the truck the side beams A A are thickened, as indicated at 00 0c, and provided on their inner faces with recesses 00 an arranged to receive a pair of S-shaped loop-guides n n, which are Toward their rear endsthe side-beamsare correspondingly-thickened, as indicated at w and recessed on their inner faces toreceive a pair of guide-loops n also firmly secu red-in place. Theguide loops 1?. and n are all of the same size and shape. On the thickened parts w of the side beams at the outer sides thereof are a pair of short track-rails n Pivotally mounted upon the pins 0 to swing in parallel vertical planes are a pair of A-shaped brackets 0'.

O is the extension ladder formed preferably of three members or lengths O 0 O although it may comprise only two, or more than three, members, if desired. The lower or main member O has skeleton-frame sidebars m each formed with parallel rails m and m and cross braces miallin one piece. The rungs m extend between the rails m of the side-bars, and the rails m are provided at intervals with coincident lugs m, to which are secured, at their ends, cross-brace rods m carrying, adjacent to the side-bars, pulleys m The side-bars m are formed with downwardly m, and at its opposite end-portions pulleys m At intervals the rungs m are provided, at opposite sides, with pulleys m The sidebars 'm are secufed at their lower end-portions tothe brackets The second member or length 0 of the ladder is formed, in the main, like the member C with skeleton side bars Z, across the upper or forward sides of which the rungs extend, and provided with downwardly curved ends Z. Extending at intervals between the side-bars at the under or rear sides thereof are cross-rods Z Fastened at its ends in the curved ends Z is a cross bar reduced. The member O of the ladder slides in the member O resting at the under edges of its side-bars on the pulleys l and crossrods Z and sliding at its upper edges against pulleys Z on the rungs of the member O J ournaled in bearing-plates 7a on the side bars of ladder member 0, is a shaft 76' provided toward one end with a gear-wheel W, and toward its opposite end with a ratchetwheel k normally engaged by a pawl k Parallel with the shaft and journaled at its end portions in the side bars 771 is a shaft 70 having squared ends, which project beyond the side-bars, and carrying a pinion k which meshes with the gear-wheel k Secured at one end to the shaft in is a chain or cable 70 which extends along the under side of the ladder to the sheave m and over the latter back to a point near the lower or forward end of the ladder section 0 where it is secured at its opposite end to the center of one of the cross bars of the latter member. Pivotally secured to the shaft m at opposite sides of the sheave m is a stirrup 70 to which is fastened the end of a chain or cable k which extends over the sheave Z and thence back to a rung near the lower or forward end of the ladder member O to which it is secured at its opposite end. In operation cranks are applied to the squared ends of the shaft 71: and the latter turned to wind up the chain or cable k and cause it to extend or raise the member 0 The movement of the member 0 causes it through the medium of the chain or cable 7t to raise or extend the member C While ladder extending means, in many respects like that described, have hitherto been employed upon fire-ladders, the present construction presents certain advantages, over all other constructions of which I am aware, in that it is particularly light in comparison to its strength and all danger of a hitch in its operation is avoided. A single chain or cable, only, is employed for each member and so disposed as to be altogether out of the way and offer no obstruction in the use of the ladder. The backward or downward curved ends of the ladder sidebars, affording bearings for the shafts carrying the sheaves and anti-friction pulleys, are a desirable improvement for the reason that sheaves of comparatively large size may be employed without obstructing the movements of the members, and the pulleys employed are large and afford firm bearings for the relatively sliding members at the extreme ends of the members by which they are carried.

On the shaft q just beyond its bearings r are pivotal stirrups q and beyond the stirrups are beveled pinions The ends of the shaft are squared to receive operating cranks. The stirrups afford bearings for the lower ends of screw-shafts g which extend at opposite sides of the pivotal-brackets 0, to swing in parallel planes perpendicular to the shaft q. On the end of each screw, in the respective stirrup, is a beveled pinion g in mesh with the respectively adjacent pinion g On each screw is an internally threaded traveling nut or collar (1 provided on opposite sides with bearing pins g.

D is a lever comprising a rocking frame, having sides D D each formed of a rockerbar i, having a bowed tread surface, forward bar i and brace bars 2' i At the forward end of each rocker is a socket 'i. Secured at one end to the ends of the shaft 19 are links pivotally secured at their opposite ends to the respectively adjacent rocking frames at the junctions of the rocking bars 1' and brace bars 2 and 2' are links pivotally connected at 0pposite ends to the rear or upper ends of the rocking-frames and opposite sides of the ladder member O. The forward or upper ends of the bars '5 are formed into stirrups t which embrace the traveling collars g respectively, and are pivoted to the pins q. The sides D D are held together in rigid relation by a cross bar D upon the center of which is a backwardly curved arm 2' The curved tread surfaces of the frame D are adapted to engage and rock upon the track rails n and to guide them upon the track each rocking bar t is provided on opposite sides with projecting guard plates 2' and '5 respectively, which extend along opposite sides of the rails.

The ladder when in normal position extends horizontally, supported at its forward end by the brackets 0', farther back by the links '6, and rests at its rear end portion upon a crossbar (not shown) which extends between standards n on the side-beams at the rear loops n, and when the ladder is in the said position, the traveling collars g are toward the outer extremities of the screws (1 To raise or swing the ladder in the direction of the vertical plane, cranks are applied to the squared ends of the shaft q and the latter turned to rotate the beveled gears g and through them the beveled gears g and screwshafts, to cause the collars g to travel forward.

This movement of the collars causes the rock-t ing-frame D to rock in the forward direction upon the track a and lift the ladder through 19 between the bearings 1" and links '5 and in the further movement of the raising mechanism, the shaft 10 becomes the fulcrum of the frame D which swings away from the track. In the final rocking of the frame D upon the track there is a slight backward-shifting movement of the rockers upon the track, and in order that this may take place with the least amount of friction I provide rollers 2' on the rocking-bars 11 in the locations shown.

E is a frame between the side beams of the truck and affording a support for removable ladders E. It is formed of two similar sideframes comprising longitudinally extending horizontal bars it formed with standards h and hangers h Extending between the horizontal bars h are cross bars h between the coincident standards are cross-bars h and on the standards are top cross-bars h On the lower ends of the hangers k are the footboards h, and extending between coincident hangers are cross-bars h which at their centers carry a longitudinally extending bracebar k provided at its forward end with a loop h The front and rear cross-bars h, at opposite ends of the horizontal bars h extend at their opposite ends beyond the bars h and afiord bearings for flanged wheels h. The treads of the forward wheels h extend into and engage the'forward guide-loops nand the rear wheels 72. extend into and engage the rear guide-loops n, the flanges of the wheels being at the'inner sides of the loops and operate to prevent lateral play of the frame E in the truck-frame.

On the cross beams 25 are bearings t for a central longitudinally extending rock-shaft From its center nearly to its rear end the shaft f is enlarged and provided with a longitudinal opening f in which is mounted a short cross-shaft f carrying a sheave f the forward part of which is at the center of rotation of the turn-table B.

E is a chain or cable extending over the forward side of the sheave f 3 and fastened at opposite ends, respectively, to the loop h on the ladder-frame E, and a hook 1' on the end of the curved arm i The chain or cable E operates when the ladder O is in its normal weight of the frame E when filled with ladders will approximate one and one-half tons, the aid it afiords in raising the ladder is material.

The object of the rocking frame is to aiford a comparatively long leverage for the raising mechanism while the ladder extends horizontally and presents the greatest resistance, and to afford a gradually shortening leverage as the ladder rises and its resistance to movement becomes less. Thus the power necessary to effect the initial rise of the ladder is comparatively little, while with the application of the same power throughout, the ladder rises with quickly increasing speed. As the rocking frame leaves its fulcrum at the track for that at the shaft 10, there is a sudden increase in resistance, which it is desirable to overcome or smooth over. This is accomplished in the construction shown by causing the flanged wheels to reach the more abruptly inclined surfaces of the S-shaped guide-loops at the moment the sockets 2' engage the bearingp and the fulcrum ischanged. The frame E as it descends the more abrupt plane exerts increased force in the direction of raising the ladder, which in a great measure, at least, overcomes the momentarily increased resistance ofthe ladder.

When in the rise .of the ladder the rocking frame leaves the track and engages the bearing 19, the ladder and rocking frame are supported entirely by the turn-table, whereby, it may be turned to any desired angle with reference to the truck. The chain or cable E ofthe counterbalance crosses the sheave at the center of rotation of the turn table, so that the tension thereof is not disturbed by the rotation of the ladder; and the rock-shaft f permits the sheave to swing as the ladder is turned and conform to the angle of extent of the chain or cable whereby the latter is prevented from slipping from the sheave.

Owing to the brackets 0', in the rise of the ladder the lower end thereof is swung forward shifting the center of gravity of the ladder when raised in the direction of the normally forward side of the turn table.

This is an important feature of myinvention for the reason that when the turn table is rotated to cause the ladder to extend laterally from the truck, it may extend to a comparatively great distance without danger of overbalancing the truck.

The broad feature of causing the ladderframe E to act as a counterbalance for the extension ladder, is claimed in my aforesaid application for Letters-Patent.

In the present construction my aim has been to provide the truck'with comparatively light and strong ladder raising and extending mechanisms, which shall operate smoothly, and with the minimum expense of power on the part of the operators, to raise and extend the ladder with comparatively great speed.

When the ladder is lowered to thehorizon- IEO tal plane the chain or cable k rests upon the top-bars 7L5 of the frame E.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck upon which the ladder is pivotally mounted at its lower end-portion, of a ladder raising lever supported between its ends upon a shifting fulcrum, and mechanism on the truck for operating the lever, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, of a turn-table on the truck upon which the ladder is pivotally supported at its lower end-portion, a rocking ladder raising lever at one end portion engaging the ladder and bearing normally between its ends on the truck, a bearing for the lever on the turn-table, and lever-actuating mechanism operative to rock the lever on the truck to the said bearing on the turn-table, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, of aturn-table on the truck upon which the ladder is pivotally supported at its lower end-portion, a ladder raising lever comprising a rockingframeat one end engagingtheladder and bearing normally between its ends upon the truck, a pivotal bearing for the lever on the turn-table, and lever-actuating mechanism operative to rock the lever on the truck to the said bearing on the turn-table, and then turn it on the said bearing, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, upon which the ladder is pivotally supported at its lower end portion, of a ladder raising lever supported between its ends on a shifting fulcrum, lever operating mechanism'on the truck, and a counterbance for the ladder operating to assist the rise and resist the lowering thereof, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, of a turn-table on the truck upon which the ladder is pivotally supported at its lower end-portion, a pivotal screw on the turn table, a traveling nut on the screw, aladder raising lever comprising a rocking frame engaging the ladder at one end and pivotally connected at its opposite end with said traveling nut, and bearing between its ends normally upon the truck, a pivotal bearing for the lever on the turn-table, and screw turning means on the turn-table,whereby in operation the screw is turned to cause the said nut to travel and rock the lever on the truck to the said bearing on the turn-table,substantially as and for the purpose described.

(3. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, of a turn-table on the truck upon which the ladder is pivotally mounted at its lower end-portion, a ladder-raising levercomprising a rocking frame bearing normally between its ends upon the truck, to rock thereon, and at its rear end engaging the ladder, a pivotalbearing for the forward end of said lever on the turn-table, a link pivotally connected at opposite ends respectively with the lever and turn-table, and operating to guide the lever to its pivot-bearing, and lever rocking mechanism on the turn-table, operative to rock the lever on the truck to its said pivotalbearing and then turn the lever on said bearing, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, of a turn-table on the truck upon which the ladder is pivotally mounted, a shaft (1 on the turn-table, provided with gears {12, bearings p on the turn-table, screws g mounted in pivotal relation to the shaft q, provided with gears g engaging the gears g traveling nuts Q5 on the screws, a longitudinally extending track upon the truck, a ladder raising lever D comprising rocking bars 1', to engage the track and having bearings 77 to engage the bearings 19, and forward bars v1 pivotally connected with the said traveling nuts,

and links connecting the lever with the turn-table, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

8. In an extension fire-ladder, the combination of the ladder member 0 having rung supporting sides formed with downward extending end-portions and provided at intervals with supports m, a cross-shaft m mounted in said end-portions, a sheave m at the center of said shaft, anti-friction supports m at the opposite end-portions of said shaft, a sliding ladder member C between the rungs of the ladder member 0 and the supports 'm, m a cable, or the like, k fastened at one end to the ladder member 0 and extending over the sheave m and a rotary shaft on the member 0', on which the cable k is wound at its opposite end, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck upon which the ladder is pivotally mounted at its lower end-portion, of means for raising the ladder, comprising, in combination, a lever interposed between the ladder .and truck and supported to rock on its fulcrum to shift the latter, and lever rocking mechanism on the truck, and counterbalance mechanism for the ladder, comprising a movable frame for ladders mounted in guides on the truck, and connected with said lever to lower in its guides as the lever is rocked to raise the ladder, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a fire-ladder and truck, of ladder raising and turning mechan isms on the truck, comprising a turn-table upon which the ladder is pivotally mounted at its lower end-portion, a ladder-raising lever, a rocking sheave, toward the center of the turn-table, a movable ladder-counterbalancing frame, for ladders, mounted in guides, and a cable passing across said sheave, connected at one end with said movable frame and so connected, at its opposite end, with relation to the ladder, that in the rise of the ladder the frame will descend in its guides,

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ends" upon the truck, a pivotal bearing for the lever on the turn-table, and lever-actuating mechanism, on the turn-table, operative to rock the lever on thetruok to the said bearing on the turn-table, substantially as and for 1 5 the purpose set forth.

. 4 v FRANK A. BIEHN.

In presence of M. J. FROST, W. N. WILLIAMS, 

